Sling Load EC130 vs 350/H125

[pussern]

I would like to have thoughts on pros and cons. Let me start the list, and if you have experience on both helicopters sling operation, i would love to hear what your thoughts is.

Pros ec130
- Sling load 1500kg
- Less db than H125/350
- up to 7pax plus pilot (4+4config)
- less operation cost than H125


Cons
- less reference sling load due to mirrors, no floor window
- way more expensive to buy

I need to figure out how the ec130 is flying slingload vs the as350/Astar/H125, any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Ian Corrigible]

A few comments:

• Note, only the current production H130 (ex-EC130 T2) has the 1,500 kg sling capacity; the older EC130 B4 was limited to 1,160 kg
• The higher sling load is made possible by the H130's full use of the Arriel 2D donk, the H130 using 952 shp @ T/O & 856 shp continuous, as opposed to 847 / 728 shp in the H125. This also means that the H130 has better TR authority than the H125, a situation reversed from the EC130.
• Not sure whether the H130 is actually cheaper to operate: Conklin says $698/hr, vs. $678/hr for the H125
• One plus for the H130 is the left-hand side pilot seat (vs. RHS in the AStar), which provides improved ergonomics viz. the collective, and is more familiar to those utility pilots used to LHS ops
• Another plus is the improved confined operation tolerance offered by the Fenestron (in terms of tree branches, snow, etc,), though it's obviously not in the same league as NOTAR
• The H130's skids may also provide some protection against snag hazards in low level ops
• The H130 also offers a true crashworthy tank, only now being introduced as an aftermarket mod on the AStar

This article on Air Zermatt's use of the 130 might be of interest: H130 finds new application in aerial work

I/C

[pussern]

Hello Ian,
really appreciate your comments. These comments are exactly what i was looking for. I had already read the Air Zermatts article. The ec130 is fairly new to the market, so its hard to find any good comparison when it comes to sling load operation and handling. True, the extra power benefits the Fenestron. Its a huge difference in the operation cost of the EC130 and the EC130T2 says Airbus.

Also once again, need perspective from people flew sling both models 130 vs 350. Thanks

[chutedragger]

You are not going to lift 1500 kg with either a 130 or a b3! 1250 kg is a massive lift with low fuel and a very skilled long line guy (that doesn't stir the disk). Take the door off and looking down in the 130 is viable as the seat is close to the rail. Fennestron has big pedal movements and has a slow response...so it does add a level of challenge or sloppiness at the end of a 75 meter line while putting the bolts in the tower.

If talking a true longline machine...350 if choosing between the 2.

[EMS R22]

chutedragger we routinely lift 1250 pus in our B3+. We have had lifts of 1400kg before. Although with 1400kg you must have the stars aligned

[alta6]

Does the B3 + have a higher permitted AUW and is the cargo swing allowed more than the onboard systems on ours B3 e's?

[chutedragger]

We do can do 1250 kg too...but not really viable as you can't go far or high with no fuel. ...1500 kg would take big wind and low density altitude, and.....

I guess if you are moving water where you can get a run at, it or non fragile loads it's ok...but trying to vertical out of a 50 meter hole on the side of a mountain or build a tower/drill....better use 1250 kg as your target max.

Not to mention....

6172 lb max external
3000 lb aircraft - never seen one below 2970
150 lbs (15%!!) fuel !?!
200 lb pilot

= 2800 lb (1272 kg) load!!

Must be one of those pilotless drones!!

[pussern]

Hehehe, this is sidetracking a little bit. We routinely also lift 1250- and sometimes 1400 cabins/excavators at 3-4000ft altitude when conditions allow and the stars are aligned. Although 900kg let you work fast and safe. Some helicopters do better than others across the 350, doesnt matter either 350B/350be. Not one helicopter is exactly the same thou its the same model."my heli is better than your heli"...

So drones or not ;-)

I still look for valuable comparisons between the fairly new (or old) ec130 vs 350

[Ian Corrigible]

Originally Posted by chutedragger

6172 lb max external

External ops MTOW in the H130 (T2) rises to 6,724 lb / 3,050 kg (vs. 6,172 lb / 2,800 kg in the EC130 B4 / AS350 B3), albeit with a 121 lb / 55 kg OEW bogey (3,159 lb / 1,433 kg claimed).

So, to echo your earlier point, an H130 with a 1,500 kg load wouldn't be going far or high.

I/C

[alta6]

Chutedragger's advice is spot on in my opinion, EMS22 has either gone to check the limitations section or his load cell

[peely]

Pussern, send me a private message and will be more than happy to discuss the H130T2 in terms of lifting and what it will do in the real world. Dave

[Slinger1]

Hello!
I am a researcher developing a way to enable slung loads (or sling loads) to be carried significantly faster in safety. We work with a large university wind tunnel in Atlanta, Georgia USA. We believe that we have cracked the problem of dealing with arbitrary shapes. Would appreciate comments to gauge the value of such improvements in your operations. I will try messaging members to see if you will talk with my team directly as well. Thanks in advance.

[Jones8inPNG]

Hey Slinger1,

I'm interested to hear what you have discovered in your research. Where can I learn more?

Thanks,

Gavin

[EMS R22]

Originally Posted by alta6

Chutedragger's advice is spot on in my opinion, EMS22 has either gone to check the limitations section or his load cell

Yes ill bite.... I agree that 1400kg is outside of the MAUW ( no I have not operated outside of the RFM) but we did have a 2B B3 that you could legally lift 1400kg albeit with 80l of fuel.

You wouldn't set a 1400kg drill head though.....it was an arrival.